Understanding how brain circuits influence eating behavior and obesity
Official title: Unraveling the homeostatic and hedonic circuits underlying feeding behavior and obesity
Funded at Monell Chemical Senses Center · NIH-10894131 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain signals affect our eating habits and why some people might struggle with overeating and obesity, using experiments with rodents to learn more about the brain's role in these behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Monell Chemical Senses Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $431,483 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131558-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894131 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who struggle with obesity or overeating.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or do not have issues with eating behavior may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits that control feeding behavior and how they contribute to obesity. It focuses on the interaction between homeostatic signals, which indicate nutrient needs, and hedonic signals, which relate to the pleasure of eating. By studying specific neurons in the brain, the research aims to uncover why some individuals overeat and gain weight more than others. The approach includes experiments in rodent models to identify the neural pathways involved in these processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating obesity by targeting the brain circuits involved in eating behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural mechanisms of feeding behavior, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Monell Chemical Senses Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alhadeff, Amber L — Monell Chemical Senses Center
- Study coordinator: Alhadeff, Amber L
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.